The Ventura Film Society is "interested" in screening my film. This will mark my first acceptance into any type of film society or festival. I've been turned down by about five so far. (sob)
But on the plus side, the Samaritan Center of Simi Valley, a drop-in center for Simi Valley's homeless, is having a fundraiser in April and they want to screen my documentary for the fundraiser. This is the best use of the documentary so far -- using it to help raise money for organizations who help the homeless.
I'll take it!
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
More Screenings!
Three more requests to screen my documentary have come in just in the last two weeks. One from a fellow artist/singer in Pittsburgh, PA, who might want to host a screening there. Another from a local shelter in Simi Valley, CA, for a fundraiser in April. And today, while serving lunches with Family to Family, a Sister from St. Catherine's in Ventura, CA, who has already seen the documentary, asked for a copy so she can show it to all the nuns at their parish.
I'm very happy about all of this!
But I'm also running late because I have a gig tonight:
Toni Jannotta Jazz Duo with Nigel Taylor at Squashed Grapes in Ventura
Downbeat is at 7pm and tonight we're having a guest violinist sit in with us!
"Voices of the Homeless" documentary is about a performance piece where Jazz improvisers helped the homeless tell their own stories.
I'm very happy about all of this!
But I'm also running late because I have a gig tonight:
Toni Jannotta Jazz Duo with Nigel Taylor at Squashed Grapes in Ventura
Downbeat is at 7pm and tonight we're having a guest violinist sit in with us!
"Voices of the Homeless" documentary is about a performance piece where Jazz improvisers helped the homeless tell their own stories.
Sunday, February 3, 2013
DOCUTAH
And the beat goes on. I just submitted my documentary to the Southern Utah International Documentary Film Festival -- DOCUTAH. Wish me luck!
And another very nice surprise came today. See, this coming Tuesday I am screening "Voices of the Homeless" for the Ventura County Chapter ACLU. The President of the chapter is a huge jazz fan. Well, her cousin in Philadelphia is now interested in hosting a screening. If that happens, though I don't know yet who her cousin is or what organization she represents, if that happens, then "Voices of the Homeless" will have made it's way OUT of Ventura County. And that right there is exciting.
How does this idea of Jazz improvisers helping the homeless reach the public unless the idea gets out there?
Thank you Robin Lee, President of the Ventura ACLU for your support. And thank you to all the film festivals who may or may not be interested in a screening and to the amazing press I've received so far.
And another very nice surprise came today. See, this coming Tuesday I am screening "Voices of the Homeless" for the Ventura County Chapter ACLU. The President of the chapter is a huge jazz fan. Well, her cousin in Philadelphia is now interested in hosting a screening. If that happens, though I don't know yet who her cousin is or what organization she represents, if that happens, then "Voices of the Homeless" will have made it's way OUT of Ventura County. And that right there is exciting.
How does this idea of Jazz improvisers helping the homeless reach the public unless the idea gets out there?
Thank you Robin Lee, President of the Ventura ACLU for your support. And thank you to all the film festivals who may or may not be interested in a screening and to the amazing press I've received so far.
Saturday, February 2, 2013
The Red Carpet
I was recently invited to walk the red carpet for a new movie. The invitation came from a wonderful PR man who is trying to help me with my documentary. He has a soft spot for the homeless and I am very grateful to him. I must say though that I am not the red carpet type and I dreaded the idea of worrying about what to wear and schmoozing.
I shouldn't have worried. The red carpet turned out to be a square of red astro turf with a back drop that had sponsors names, or perhaps it was the name of the movie premiering, on it. I went to the sign-in table and gave my name. Then I was asked my company name. I said I didn't have one and that I had been invited because I had just made a documentary. The guy then wrote my name on an 8X10 piece of paper with "documentary filmmaker" underneath it. This is when I felt like a phony.
So I waited in line with the cameras flashing and the boob jobs posing and tried to be as positive as I could remembering to keep my focus on the opportunity to talk about "Voices of the Homeless."
I was grateful for the evening. I will never be worried about a Hollywood premiere again. And since it was a slasher film I figured it would be OK if I skipped the after party.
I shouldn't have worried. The red carpet turned out to be a square of red astro turf with a back drop that had sponsors names, or perhaps it was the name of the movie premiering, on it. I went to the sign-in table and gave my name. Then I was asked my company name. I said I didn't have one and that I had been invited because I had just made a documentary. The guy then wrote my name on an 8X10 piece of paper with "documentary filmmaker" underneath it. This is when I felt like a phony.
So I waited in line with the cameras flashing and the boob jobs posing and tried to be as positive as I could remembering to keep my focus on the opportunity to talk about "Voices of the Homeless."
I was grateful for the evening. I will never be worried about a Hollywood premiere again. And since it was a slasher film I figured it would be OK if I skipped the after party.
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